News has come (via MMO Culture) that Bandai Namco are creating a sequel to SD Gundam Online, the MMORPG based on the popular Gundam franchise. (Bandai Namco refers to the game as an “MMO Action RPG”.)

The sequel is titled SD Gundam Next Evolution and, in a first for Bandai Namco, will be run by their Korean team, instead of being licensed to a Korean publisher, which is what usually happens.

Features new to the sequel include destructible environments, and environmental objects that players can use in battles. Graphics will be improved, too, by revamping skill effects, increasing model and texture details, and making combat smoother.

Watch the announcement trailer for the game above, and have a gander at the screenshots below.

Closed beta testing for the game begins in March, with open beta testing following in May. No overseas server has been announced yet.